Stop treating us like criminals, youths tell State

The youth in Homa Bay County want the government to avoid perceiving them as hooligans when they advocate for their rights through peaceful demonstrations.

These came ahead of Wednesday’s demonstrations the youth intend to hold in commemoration of their colleagues who perished during Gen Z protests last year.

These emerged when youths  convened by the Community Action for Health and Development (CAHED) in collaboration with the Coalition of Homa Bay Organisations on Governance Oversight (CHOGO) in Homa Bay Town.

The youth accused the national and county governments of failing to exercise democracy as enshrined in the constitution.

They argued that the government had developed a habit of perceiving them as law breakers whenever they hold demonstrations to oppose inaction by the government on service delivery.

According to Harrison Ochola, a youth from Sindo in Suba Central Sub- County, police brutality against youth who are championing their democratic rights violates the democratic principles of governance.

Ochola argued that youth hold demonstrations based on reasons.

 “As a youth, we go to the streets because we feel the government is not serving us the way it should. But it is wrong for the government to exercise excessive force against us,” Ochola said.

He argued that time had come for the government to stop viewing young people who express their constitutional rights as criminals. He said the youth also deserve respect to demonstrate whenever their rights are contravened.

“We are appealing to the government to stop viewing youth as hooligans when we are advocating for our rights. This violates democracy we should uphold as a country,” he added.

Lavin Ogaya, a youth from Homa Bay Sub- County said they expect a country where youth are free from killing and abduction.

“We need a country where youth are safe,” Ogaya said.

They also called on both the county and national governments to respect their views given in public participation fora.

“Our views are taken during public participation forums but they end up being discarded,” she added.

CHOGO Secretary Nicholas Ouma said both police and youth should respect one another during demonstrations.

“Police should not be militarized against the youth. The youth should avoid carrying weapons so that demonstrations take place peacefully,” Ouma said.

CAHED Director David Rabuor accused the national government and county governments of discriminating against youth in employment.

Rabuor accused the government of employing retirees yet the youth languish in unemployment.

“Many retirees hold job opportunities in the government yet youths are unemployed. We want the youth to be considered for job opportunities as enshrined in the constitution,” Rabuor said.

The Chief of Arujo Location Bob Lang’o urged the youth to avoid violence during demonstrations.

He said that violence impedes development.

“Let our youth control their tempers and avoid violence during a peaceful demonstration,” Lang’o said.